RE: Walking In The Woods
 

Something native to Illinois..... maybe an Illini, whatever that is, but they're plentiful it seems.[8D]

RE: Walking In The Woods
 

The "bears feet" sold by cabelas really help reduce the noise made when walking on dried leaves, twigs & rocks. Their downfall is mudd clogging to them and having to do something with them once you get to your stand.

I usually placed them at thebase of the tree and cover them with leaves and then spray the area with earth no scent cover scent.
The deer can still smell where I touched the ground leaves though- I've had them come in and sniff the base area before and spook back from it.

RE: Walking In The Woods
 

Walk slow, pause, and move a little farther. Or find a new route and go early.